Relax, Everything is Going to be Okay!

[Nuts]

AI Overview

Precise total figures for U.S. healthcare worker COVID-19 deaths are challenging to pinpoint due to reporting inconsistencies, but an investigation by
The Guardian and Kaiser Health News found that more than 3,600 U.S. healthcare workers died within the first year of the pandemic.

Also AI Overview

Healthcare 3,600 out of 22million worker deaths or .016%
Gen pop 1,223,841 out of 342million people or .357%

So healthcare workers were at a much lower rate then the gen pop. Any death not good. Just more to it

 

[Dougfirtree]

Also AI Overview

Healthcare 3,600 out of 22million worker deaths or .016%
Gen pop 1,223,841 out of 342million people or .357%

So healthcare workers were at a much lower rate then the gen pop. Any death not good. Just more to it

...and that could be because the PPE worked...

 

[406dn]

Also AI Overview

Healthcare 3,600 out of 22million worker deaths or .016%
Gen pop 1,223,841 out of 342million people or .357%

So healthcare workers were at a much lower rate then the gen pop. Any death not good. Just more to it

The demographics of health care workers and the general population are fairly different.

The death rate was significantly age dependent. The most at risk group were people past their working career.

It stands to reason that people around the virus every day were at an increased risk for contracting covid.

 

[Nuts]

...and that could be because the PPE worked...

True. Valid point. Could be. I was physically in the hospitals though working during the time. I didn't see the PPE taken to seriously. We created entire floors of isolation rooms. We were on stand by to do stuff. When it was reported that a local hospital was overrun and diverting patients I was taken back. I called the hospital staff and asked if that entire floor is filled and I needed to mobilize. He stated that there is not a single patient in it. Rather there was a bus crash and there ER was over run with patients. Interesting how that was reported.

 

[Gulf of America]

True. Valid point. Could be

They were also likely one of the most vaccinated populations, and at least in some cases are probably more proactive about their personal health (although many of my wife's colleagues turn that on its head).

 

[Nuts]

Also true

 

[Bonasababy]

They were also likely one of the most vaccinated populations, and at least in some cases are probably more proactive about their personal health (although many of my wife's colleagues turn that on its head).

Because of my susceptibility to serious damage or death from it, my doctor...who is of the if it dont kill you its not always a bad thing to catch it mindset...urged me and others around me to get masked and as soon as the vaccine came out...get that too.

Many of my relatives are in Healthcare, doctors and nurses and board members.

They all drew a sharp contrast to catching a cold or the flu...treatable illness...from something they didn't know how to treat yet, what they did know they weren't equipped to treat more than a few at a time, all while seeing deaths rise dramatically...

 

[Handlebar]

I never thought that masks were the real issue. It was by filling in skateboard parks with sand or taping off parks, waiting for a guy to come out of the ocean from surfing or watching the elderly die confused and scared through plexiglass or shutting down mom and pop hardware store but letting Walmart's stay open or requiring people to get vaccinated after having covid. There was a lot of silliness going on and the mask was a symbol.

 

[Gulf of America]

I never thought that masks were the real issue. It was by filling in skateboard parks with sand or taping off parks, waiting for a guy to come out of the ocean from surfing or watching the elderly die confused and scared through plexiglass or shutting down mom and pop hardware store but letting Walmart's stay open or requiring people to get vaccinated after having covid. There was a lot of silliness going on and the mask was a symbol.

That's well-stated. It's unfortunate because, of all the things you listed, the mask was easily the least disruptive to public life, but it was a much easier symbol to rally around than anything else. It's frustrating that we're devolving to throwing food about the mask (again) rather than having an honest good-faith discussion about the long-term damage and loss of public trust that school closures, prohibition of safe outdoor activities, and so many other policies caused.

 

[Handlebar]

That's well-stated. It's unfortunate because, of all the things you listed, the mask was easily the least disruptive to public life, but it was a much easier symbol to rally around than anything else. It's frustrating that we're devolving to throwing food about the mask (again) rather than having an honest good-faith discussion about the long-term damage and loss of public trust that school closures, prohibition of safe outdoor activities, and so many other policies caused.

Public Trust was lost yes sir

 

[jimh406]

Just a casual mention of masks triggered a lot of people. I can't imagine what would happen if the rest of the issues with Covid were pointed out. I deleted my posts since it seemed people were very upset. I'll leave more triggering to someone else.

 

[Bonasababy]

Back to the main topic of the thread again, this in from the respected non-partisan Tax Foundation.

Tracking the Economic Impact of the Trump Tariffs

The Trump tariffs are the largest US tax increase as a percent of GDP since 1993 and amount to an average tax increase per US household of $1,500 in 2026.

taxfoundation.org

Some highlights:

- Trumps Tariffs resulted in an increase in taxes paid per US households of $1,000 in 2025, that will rise to $1,300 in 2026.

- Trumps Tariffs represent the largest tax increase as a percent of the US Gross Domestic Product since 1993.

- Trumps Tariffs will REDUCE US GDP by 1/2 percent between 2026 and 2035, even before accounting for the negative impact on GDP from retaliatory Tariffs.

 

[jimh406]

Back to the main topic of the thread again, this in from the respected non-partisan Tax Foundation.

There is disagreement on the effect of the tariffs. You can find sources to agree with opposing positions.

 

[elkduds]

Also AI Overview

Healthcare 3,600 out of 22million worker deaths or .016%
Gen pop 1,223,841 out of 342million people or .357%

So healthcare workers were at a much lower rate then the gen pop. Any death not good. Just more to it

Not just fatalities.

AI Overview


Yes, studies indicated that front-line healthcare workers in the US faced a higher risk of COVID-19 infection compared to the general community during the initial phases of the pandemic, with one analysis finding higher infection percentages across various age groups
. However, risks varied by role; for instance, some studies found a 8-12-fold lower risk of death among specific physician groups in the US compared to the general population.

The prevalence of COVID-19 was 2747 cases per 100 000 front-line health-care workers compared with 242 cases per 100 000 people in the general community (figure ). The highest infection rates were reported in the US states New York, New Jersey, and Louisiana and in areas around London and the Midlands in the UK.

Over 10x higher risk of contracting COVID for front line health workers, than for general population. Many got it multiple times and or are living w long COVID impairments. Thus their accurate perception of COVID risk at work influencing their decision to retire or change careers.

 

[Handlebar]

There is disagreement on the effect of the tariffs. You can find sources to agree with opposing positions.

The San Francisco Federal Reserve came out recently (late Nov?) with what they call a letter, that I found interesting. sorry for no link. I personally have not seen the impact from tariffs. But if the goal is to improve trade agreements with various countries than I am fine with them. More importantly the financial class did very well with off shoring and if these can encourage on shoring (and that remains to be seen) than I am good with trying them.

 

[brymoore]

There is disagreement on the effect of the tariffs. You can find sources to agree with opposing positions.

Free Markets!